Esprit de L'Escalier

Barn in the fall

School has finally started here. I have finalized my schedule and I'm excited about a couple of projects I'm going to be working on, but I'm still trying to get into the groove. Will post some later this week.

PS: How great are the early fall colors? I can't believe the soybeans are already yellowing - changing from their summer greens to the goldens and ochres of fall. I love the random pops of red in the trees, not to mention the cooler nights.  The tanking economy I could do without.

Back online

We have power and internet back.  Some more Montana stories shortly.  To see a larger version of my sister's view (above), click on it.

A float down the Blackfoot

When I first arrived in Missoula, my sister and her boyfriend picked me up. We got lunch and headed to their house, chiefly to drop my bags and meet their puppies, Tana (a maltese) and Stella (a black lab). They are hilarious and adorable. Alix and I then went back to her work, at Big Sky Brewery, and I stood around in the tasting room, chatting with her regulars, slowly getting drunk on samples.

The next day we took their boat and went on a float down the Blackfoot River.  It was a beautiful day, and a beautiful river.

More photos here.

Some Missoula sneak peeks

Here are some polaroids from Missoula. 

Some awesome, if immobile, old cars in my sister's friend's side yard.

One of the antique stores found downtown (which are mixed in with boutiques, restaurants, bars and other cute, old buildings).

Missoula also boasts some fantastic ghost signs, peeking out on buildings all over town.

Stories to come, I promise, it was just a late night at work.

Brief end-of-summer interlude

Miss you friends.

(Amanda and Mike, I haven't developed the roll you're on, or you'd be up here too.)

Short berry break

I swear I'm still on a blogging break, but I had to show you these berries I just bought.  Oh, HECK YES.  And I got a bag of amazing local nectarines, too.

Happy weekend!

This photo is a polaroid with some special film made for my old school polaroid camera.  (It's a long explanation about the film, and far too geeky if you don't already know about it.)  I only bought two packs and am regretting that (I should have splurged for more).  The tones are a little sepia-ish, but I think they add even more of an old fashioned look to them.  (The pug photo from below is also with this film.)  Anyhow I've only got 16 shots total (14 left).  I hope I don't screw any of them up!

Oh, and the car?  The sign in the window boasted it has never rusted.  1950 Plymouth.  For sale, if you're interested.

This weekend I've got people coming in town (including a brief visit from this fabbo lady), scouting for a photo project and it's going to be a scorcher from what I hear.  What do you all have planned?

Puppies and music

This photo makes me think of this one This American Life episode about a man who tries to start a cable network of all puppies.  It even had a theme song that I would sing to you if you were here (friends Natasha and Shana have heard me sing this, much to their chagrin, as after it aired I sang it a lot).  In reality it's my friend Julie's new pug puppy, Gus Gus.  He is adorably sweet and I plan on stealing him (or at least pug-sitting) when he's housebroken.

Today I calmed my nerves with some Bon Iver.  His album, For Emma, Forever Ago, helped me get through a stressful spring quarter.  His music is very mellow, and, well, I love it (here are some songs).  He's coming to the Wexner Center Sunday night and I'm thinking of going.  I'm going to see She & Him Monday night (I've got an extra ticket, if anyone is interested), and I don't know if I'm up to doubling up or not.  Although I'd very much like to see both.

Frank in the catnip

I started writing about something and realized that I shouldn't.  Today wasn't the greatest day I've had.  It wasn't the worst, just frustrating.  Hope you all have a lovely weekend.  I hope to shake off these sticky, uncomfortable feelings of inadequacy and irritation and to sleep well for the first time in a long while.

Here are some photos from a roll of medium format film I exposed incorrectly.  I forgot to change the film type.  Oops.  Rookie mistake.  These two are nice, though.  Above you see Frank in a favorite hangout, beneath the catnip.  The one below is Frank and a friend, which is really way too dark and grainy, but still quite sweet.

Update: The day was an emotional rollercoaster and I've just said some tearful farewells to some dear people I've become very fond of. I hate goodbyes.

Some links and upcoming fun

Jennifer and I have been trying to decide if we would live-blog Project Runway, as we did last season.  We missed the first episode, because we are both ridiculously knee-deep in life and various goings on (as well as her new computer being not quite right yet), but we kind of miss the fun.  So we're going to do it, tomorrow night, newcritics, 9pm.  Tune in, and get your snark on.

I have received some fun and interesting links this week.  My friend Nan sent me this link. Scroll down to "It's 10 pm. Do you know where your cat is?"  She thinks I should invest in a GPS backpack for Frank, so I can track his every move.  I wish I could embed something in him to track him with, because I am curious to where he goes on his little jaunts.

My friend Sharon sent me this link about a study on boy-girl twins and how testosterone may affect the female twin in utero.  It sounds like the testosterone affects mice more than humans, but I guess I do like to travel far from home.  (AG, I'd love to hear your opinion.)

This link I found last week and sent to my Jim Henson-loving friend.  I may have to visit DC soon so I can see the Henson exhibit.  It will be a couple of years before it makes it to Chicago.

The final link is to a small bit on Morning Edition from today.  I almost spit out my yogurt and berries when I heard it, because I knew the pastor involved must have been related to my friend Amanda.  I talked to her today and I was right.

Join us tomorrow night for Project Runway!

UPDATE:  The post is now up!  Join us tonight at 9/8pm!